Dan Hodges left TfL in December after issuing a joke press statement about the sacking of Emma Clarke, who recorded the automated announcements heard on London Underground trains. Clarke was apparently dismissed for criticising TfL in the press.

Hodges is now heading the campaign to support the proposed £3bn congestion charge scheme for Greater Manchester. The Yes Campaign is a coalition of unions, businesses, environmentalists, pensioners and NGOs campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote in December’s referendum.